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I have RA, it was diagnosed 3 years ago during an acute exacerbation. The RA Latex Turbid Results were in the 200's at the time and I could not walk on my left foot, the joint below my great toe was so inflamed and painful. I saw a Rheumatologist and she tried a few different drugs none worked as the side effect were equally as bad as the disease itself. The Rheumatologist offered me both Embrel and Humara but I had both thyroid and breast cancer in the past so I have chosen not to use those two drugs. I keep prednisone 5mg's and Tramadol 75mg's and when my symptoms are more than I can deal with I take them for a few days. Recently, I went to a new primary care doctor and she did another RA Latex Turbid Test, I am having pain in my fingers and toes but not medicating for them as it is not severe pain. Anyway the test result came back as 216.8 IU/mL. Range: 0.0-13.9. My question is once you have RA is the test result showing the degree of RA you have in which case I have two tests around the same result. Or is it telling me that I am exasperated again and that it needs to be medicated for control?

Thanks for your Reply!

2 Replies |Watch This Discussion | Report This| Share this:High RA Latex Turbid Test ResultI have RA, it was diagnosed 3 years ago during an acute exacerbation. The RA Latex Turbid Results were in the 200's at the time and I could not walk on my left foot, the joint below my great toe was so inflamed and painful. I saw a Rheumatologist and she tried a few different drugs none worked as the side effect were equally as bad as the disease itself. The Rheumatologist offered me both Embrel and Humara but I had both thyroid and breast cancer in the past so I have chosen not to use those two drugs. I keep prednisone 5mg's and Tramadol 75mg's and when my symptoms are more than I can deal with I take them for a few days. Recently, I went to a new primary care doctor and she did another RA Latex Turbid Test, I am having pain in my fingers and toes but not medicating for them as it is not severe pain. Anyway the test result came back as 216.8 IU/mL. Range: 0.0-13.9. My question is once you have RA is the test result showing the degree of RA you have in which case I have two tests around the same result. Or is it telling me that I am exasperated again and that it needs to be medicated for control?

The Latex Test is the the same as the RA Factor Test. My own current reading is well over 1,000 IU/mL. I wish I had yours. The test is a general reading for the level of inflammation. It is not specific and is not given a lot of focus by rheumatologists. You seem to be having flares. This is common. If blood tests are run during a flare you may get a higher result for some or all the various tests. Your Latex Test is just too general to be really useful. I am surprised you Rheumy offered you the big drugs without trying Methyltrexate. Hope this helps.

The Latex Test is the the same as the RA Factor Test. My own current reading is well over 1,000 IU/mL. I wish I had yours. The test is a general reading for the level of inflammation. It is not specific and is not given a lot of focus by rheumatologists. You seem to be having flares. This is common. If blood tests are run during a flare you may get a higher result for some or all the various tests. Your Latex Test is just too general to be really useful. I am surprised you Rheumy offered you the big drugs without trying Methyltrexate. Hope this helps.

@mike201
Thank you for your response. My Rheum. Did put me on Methyltrexate for 3-4 months and I was taking it from fri-sun each week but I was so nauseated, lethargic that eventually I just said the cures are as bad as the disease for me and requested the prednisone and tram afoul for flair ups. I am wandering if you know what tests your doctor runs for you that are more helpful with your dx. and I am always looking for medication that will work for me. I have had bilateral mastectomies, thyroid ca, and a few other problems but the cancer history is what rules out a lot of medications. Also, when I am flailed up my pain management is a problem as I am allergic to codeine thus I use the Tramadol. Any thoughts and information on this are welcome.

Thanks for your Reply!

Report This| Share this:High RA Latex Turbid Test Result@mike201
Thank you for your response. My Rheum. Did put me on Methyltrexate for 3-4 months and I was taking it from fri-sun each week but I was so nauseated, lethargic that eventually I just said the cures are as bad as the disease for me and requested the prednisone and tram afoul for flair ups. I am wandering if you know what tests your doctor runs for you that are more helpful with your dx. and I am always looking for medication that will work for me. I have had bilateral mastectomies, thyroid ca, and a few other problems but the cancer history is what rules out a lot of medications. Also, when I am flailed up my pain management is a problem as I am allergic to codeine thus I use the Tramadol. Any thoughts and information on this are welcome.

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